Unfortunately you were not selected this time / Kahjuks ei osutunud te sellel korral valituks

𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦:

Artists: Keithy Kuuspu and Katariin Mudist
Exhibition designer and technical help: Alden Jõgisuu
Texts: Laura Cemin
Graphic design: Katariin Mudist
Videographer: Kai Jürimäe
Performance dramaturgy: Keithy Kuuspu and Katariin Mudist

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐬: Anu Vahtra, Elo Vahtrik, Elina Masing, Kaarin Kivirähk, Karli Luik, Kreete Verlin, Tõnu Õnnepalu, Urmas Lüüs and Annely Köster.

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬: Ingrid Allik, Arvi Anderson, Yvette Bathgate and Jake Shepherd, Zody Burke, Alexei Gordin, Ulvi Haagensen, Tõnis Jürgens, Edith Karlson, Lauri Kilusk, KIWA, Stina Leek, Kris Lemsalu, Anna Mari Liivrand, Laura Linsi, Johannes Luik, Angela Maasalu, Maarja Mäemets, Eke Ao Nettan, Kärt Ojavee, Pelle Org, Anumai Raska, Sander Raudsepp, Taavi Teevet, Marta Vaarik and Kristina Õllek.

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Sveta Grigorjeva, Henri Hütt, Kertu Moppel, Liisa Saaremäel and Oksana Tralla.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: Teresa de Andrade, Markus Andreas Auling, Sylvia Burgess, Lilian Maasik, Kristel Jakobson, Juulia Aleksandra Mikson, Sandra Mirka, Johanna ja Terje Mudist, Eva Nava, Hendrik Ojaveer, Karl-Hendrik Pallo, Teresa RA, Maria Elise Remme, Kristina Sepp, Rin Togo, Kristi Vendelin, Elin Viisileht, Marce Garcia Viisileht, Anett Vähi, Ethel Ütsmüts; 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 “𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬”: Liisi Aibel, Iris Areda, Kirke Asandi, Gregor Alaküla, Eliisa Matsalu-Alaküla, Ann Kristiin Entson, Valeriya Ferschel, Indrek Grigor, Saara Liis Jõerand, Kristin Kaasik, Elin Kard, Sander Koit, Silvia Käsk, Paul Kuimet, Janeli Kuusemets, Martin Kuusk, Gregor Kulla, Indrek Köster, Kadri Laas, Johannes Luik, Magdaleena Maasik, Rene Nõmmik, Liisi Kõuhkna, Kristina Milbach, Ann Mäekivi, Karmen Otu, Erik Peterson, Liina Plaado, Alana Proosa, Maarja Eliisabet Roosalu, Evelin Saul-Rämonen, Kristina Sepp, Maret Tamme, Aleksander Tsapov, Kadi-Ell Tähiste, Liina Luhats-Ulman, Andero Uusberg, Kristi Vendelin, Mats ja Maris Viisileht, Helen Västrik 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 Lauri Eltermaa, Måns Fridlizius Lindberg, Chloé Geinoz, Liisi Kõuhkna, Johanna Mudist, Terje Mudist, Eva Nava, Helena Pass, Laivi Suurväli, Kristiina Tinnu Tang, Taavi Tetlov, Mae Variksoo, Kertin Vasser, Liis-Marleen Verilaskja, Elin Viisileht, Alan Voodla, Mart Vainre, Anett Vähi, Kauss Arhitektuur, Tallinn Sports Arena, Estonian Academy of Arts, Von Krahl Theatre, Kanuti Gild SAAL, Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava, Tartu Art Museum and Tartu Art House.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Põhjala Brewery, Punch drinks, Pühaste and Leibur.

————

Katariin Mudist’s and Keithy Kuuspu’s exhibition at the Tartu Art House explores the multifaceted phenomenon of giving and receiving awards, delving into the dynamics of recognition within the art world and beyond.

Awards serve as social validation, reinforcing the legitimacy and value of individuals or organisations. From gold stars given to children for good behaviour to lifetime achievement honours, these tokens fulfil a fundamental human need: to feel seen, special and acknowledged. However, this recognition often comes with unintended consequences, fostering competition, comparison and a goal-oriented approach to life. Does praise motivate improvement, or does it become a burden, creating expectations and pressure that hinder future efforts?

“𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞” examines the cyclical nature of recognition, while wryly remaining entangled in these very dynamics. Keithy and Katariin were selected for this exhibition and received funding to implement it. In turn, they chose artists to create trophies and invited directors to distribute them. Who gets to choose, and who is chosen? What lies behind recognition, and what are its broader political and psychological implications?

The show is divided into three distinct spaces: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬”, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧”. Each room tackles different aspects of recognition, using a variety of media and strategies to engage with the theme.

A network of exchanges and collaborations is woven throughout the exhibition. Artists conducted interviews with individuals from various fields, including art, literature and sports, gathering diverse perspectives on the meaning of recognition. Their process expanded to include volunteers who participated in carving chairs and creating the photo series. Finally, they invited 25 artists to contribute trophies, each celebrating a unique concept. These trophies were awarded during a 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜, 𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚, when five theatre directors selected the winners and distributed the prizes. You can find more information about the Awards Gala from AS DIRECTOR section.

Photos: Roman-Sten Tõnissoo